Bagging machine



N. FEINGOLD BAGGING MACHINE Nov. 16, 1965 S SheetsSheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1965 INVENTOR. NORMAN FEINGOLD ATTORNEYS Nov. 16, 1965 N. FEINGOLD 3,217,464

BAGGING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. NORMAN FEINGOLD ATTORNEY S N. FEINGOLD BAGGING MACHINE Nov. 16, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 27, 1963 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. NORMAN F El NGOLD Q l m m J. b 6 Q m w m m KHT- f. 6 O 4 a I w 8 7 A. H 7. 9 0 2 y 9 O m I. 8 .1 9 2 8 3 3) 9 m m 9 d R 2 m C m .E l l T? m or m B ATTORNE YS United States Patent 3,217,464 BAGGING MACHINE Norman Feingold, Great Neck, N.Y., assignor to Automaid Packaging Corporation, Great Neck, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 261,346 19 Claims. (Cl. 53-187) The present inventionrelates to a machine for inserting articles into bags and to such a machine which is adapted to use with a known form of mechanism for opening bags, whether of paper or plastic material, so that articles may be inserted therein. In the past a number of machines have been marketed which, by use of a stream of air, cause-the top one of a stack of bags to open and be extended and thus provide for the ready insertion of articles by hand.

Ordinarily these machanisms include mechanical means for holding the opened bag in the open position in the form of funnels or chutes, the forward ends of which enter the bag and thus provide means through which the articles can be manually moved into the bag.

While such bag distending apparatus was efiective for the purpose, it nonetheless required the insertion of the articles into the distended bag to be performed manually.

My present invention provides means which may be utilized with bag distending apparatus as indicated above to enter a succession of articles into a corresponding succession of bags and discharge the filled bags from the mechanism. The articles may be fed by hand or by any suitable mechanism such as a conveyor.

By means of my invention the articles are caused to enter the bag by means of a pusher which itself enters the mouth of the bag but is arranged so that after the bag is filled and removed from the stack the pusher retracts as the bag is discharged.

In accordance with my invention the mechanism for automatically inserting the articles to be packaged into the distended bag may be made as an attachment for a normal bag distending mechanism or may of course, if desired, be made in a unitary manner with such a bag distending mechanism.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism for inserting articles automatically into distended bags and for discharging the filled bags in such manner that there is no interference between the member which has caused the articles to enter the bag and the bag itself at the time when discharge of the filled bag is desired.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a mechanism which starts and stops its operation under control of the articles to be packed or bagged so that there is no operation of the mechanism when the supply of material to be packed ceases, while on the other hand when articles are supplied the mechanism operates in timed relationship to the supply.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an article inserting mechanism which is combined with an article feeding mechanism such as a conveyor to assure proper timing of the inserting mechanism.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a control circuit which circuit is under control of means such as a switch or photocell located in the path of articles fed to the mechanism so that the position of the articles determines the timing of the operation of the inserting mechanism.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the annexed drawings, in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view partly in vertical section showing both the bag distending mechanism and the mechanism for conveying articles to the bag distending mechanism and for inserting articles into the distended bags;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional View of a major portion of the mechanism of FIGURE 1, the view being taken on the plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the bag distending mechanism, the view being taken on the plane of'the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view showing means for urging the bag distending chutes into their inner positions, the view being taken on the plane of the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view showing the formation of one type of bagwhich may be used;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the article inserting means showing particularly a form of that means adapted to the insertion of a card having an article positioned thereon into a bag;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of thepusher member of the device of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a form of pusher adapted to the insertion of non-rigid articles, such as woven and knitted wear, intoa bag;

FIGURE 9 isa rear elevational view of the pusher member of FIGURE 8 together with the cooperating conveyor mechanism; and

FIGURE 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control circuit for the article inserting mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown at 20 a bag distending mechanism of usual form. This mechanism comprises a generally rectangular enclosure having a base 21, end walls 22 and 23 and side walls 24 and 25, the end wall 22 .being preferably hinged to the base 21 in the manner shown in FIGURE 1. Mounted within the enclosure is a blower 26 having a usual discharge nozzle 27, see FIGURE 3, which discharge nozzle terminates above a plate 28 which is inclined to the horizontal and which at its left hand end, as seen in FIGURE 1, lies above the upper edge of a stack of bags 30 also within the enclosure. The end wall 23 extends forwardly lying above the blower and above the inclined plate 28.

This horizontally extending portion 31 of the end wall 23 serves to confine the air from blower 26 so that it is discharged over the top of the uppermost bag in the stack and by thus creating lift causes the top of the bag to rise to the extent that the air stream can then enter the bag and distend it. Pivotally mounted on the side walls 24 and 25 of the enclosure are chutes 32 and 33 which chutes are generally channel shaped with the lower edges of the channels extending under the plate 31. These chutes are, as stated, pivotally mounted on the side walls .by means of the arms 34 and 35 which are fixed to the chutes and which extend into brackets 36 and 37 fixed to the respective side walls.

The chutes 32 and 33 are spring biased so that the outer or left hand ends thereof, as seen in FIGURE 3, tend to move together, the biasing being accomplished by means of coil springs such as that shown at 38' in FIGURE 4, the coil spring being fixed at one end to the vertically extending portion of the arm 34 or 35, the opposite end of the spring bearing against the respective side wall such as 25.

A stack of bags 30 is provided as indicated above. In the particular instance these bags are formed with a long base 40 and a shorter top 41. The base portions are provided with apertures 42 and with notches 43' adjacent the apertures but separated slightly from the apertures. The stack of bags is assembled on a.U-shaped member 44 which U-shaped member is inverted and is held in the position shown in FIGURE 1 by clipping it into the bent over end of the plate 28. Also mounted on the vertically extending portions of the U-shaped member 44 is a pressure plate 46 to which is fixed a bearing collar 47.

Extending between the base 21 and the pressure plate 46 is a spring 48 which thus serves to move the bags into position against the lower bent over portion of plate 28 and to keep the uppermost bag at a desired level ready to be distended.

From the above description it will be seen that the mechanism thus far described may be utilized to manually insert articles into bags from the stack 30. Thus an article to be put in one of the bags 30 may simply be moved between the chute members 32 by hand, it being understood that the blower 26 is operating and that the upper edge of the uppermost bag will be raised so that as the article moves between the chutes the chutes can rotate about their pivot points in opposite directions thus retaining the bag mouth open and making it possible to insert the article or articles, if there be a group thereof, into the bag. Continued movement of the articles after they seat against the bottom of the bag will cause the small amount of material between the apertures '42 and notches 43 to tear so that the bag is removed from the stack and may then be sealed or otherwise treated.

The mechanism thus far described is in general of a form on the market save that in the commercial form the chutes are made adjustable both with respect to the vertical height of the channel forming the chute and with respect to the width or distance between chutes.

By means of my invention a bagging machine such as that briefly described above may be adapted to the automatic bagging of various articles such as bread, rolls, sandwiches, card mounted tubes, other card mounted items, knitted undershirts and many other products.

The mechanism of my invention is mounted in a housing formed by the side plates or walls and 51 and the end plates 52 and 53. This housing lies adjacent the bag distending mechanism at the rear (right hand of FIGURE 2) and extends above that mechanism. As seen in FIGURE 2 the plates 50 and 51 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of sides 24 and 25 of the distending mechanism and rest upon those sides. Tabs 54 and 55 are fixed respectively to side walls 58 and 51 and hold the plates 50 and 51 in registry with the side walls 24 and 25.

Side walls 50 and 51 are provided with downwardly extending walls 56 and 57 respectively. The forward edges of these downwardly extending wall portions 56 and 57 lie adjacent the rear of the bag distending mechanism and extend downwardly to rest upon the surface which supports the distending mechanism. A coverplate 58 is fixed to the rear edges of the downwardly extending portions 56 and 57 and serves to enclose that portion.

Mounted on a cross member 60 extending between the side members 50 and 51 is a motor 61 which, through a usual form of angle drive, drives a horizontal shaft 62 carrying a sprocket wheel 63, the motor being mounted toward the left end of the side plates as seen in FIGURE 1.

A second shaft 64 is suitably mounted in journal blocks 65 fixed to side members 50 and 51. On shaft 64 is mounted a sprocket wheel 66 similar to the sprocket wheel 63. Between these sprocket wheels there extends a roller chain 67, the lower reach of the chain being guided by means of upper and lower rails 68 and 69. The rail 68 is fixed to the cross member 60 and to additional cross members 70 and 71 while the lower rail 69 is supported by means of brackets 72 fixed to the cross members 60, 70 and 71. As is clearly seen in FIGURE 2, the rails 68 and 69 are of such a width that they support the rollers of the chain with the connecting side pieces extending over the rail faces so that the chain is held in a particular vertical plane as well as being guided in a desired horizontal plane.

Mounted on the chain 67 are two pusher members 73 which are identical and which are identically mounted. The mounting for each pusher arm comprises two arms 74 and 75 each of which is made integral with the one of the side elements of the roller chain 67, these arms extending an appreciable distance from the chain and being perpendicular to the chain link.

Pivotally mounted on the end of arm 74 is a link 76 and in like manner pivotally mounted on the end of arm 75 is a link 77, the two links being pivoted together at point 78 between arms 74 and 75. Link 77 has an extension thereon on the side opposite pivot point '78 which is formed in the shape of a U and which terminates in a bent-off portion 80 which is fixed to the pusher 73. Also mounted on the link 76 is a bent-over portion 81 which overlies the end of link 77 and makes it impossible for the toggle formed of the two links 76 and 77 to break outwardly.

As will be seen by reference to the dotted showing of the arms 74 and 75 and links 76 and 77 in FIGURE 1, when these elements are on a portion of the chain which is moving horizontally the outer end of arms 75 and 76 will be relatively close together and the toggle formed by the links 77 and '78 will break inwardly causing the end 77a of link 77 to extend vertically placing the U-shaped bend in a substantially horizontal position and causing the pusher 73 to be in a vertical plane. As will be obvious by reference to FIGURE 1 the right hand pusher 73 thus assumes a vertical position as the arm 75 moves about the sprocket wheel to a position directly beneath that which is shown in full lines. As will also be obvious the left hand pusher 73 moves out of the vertical position as the link 74 moves to the left from the position directly beneath shaft 62, the purposes which are accomplished by these movements being described hereinafter.

Fixed to the side walls 50' and 51 at the lower right hand portions thereof, are conveyor supporting elements 82 and 83 as well as another supporting element 84 which is fixed to the outer surface of the side wall 51. The elements 82 and 83 support shafts 85, 86 and 87, the latter of which is driven by means of a pulley mounted thereon and belt driven from a motor 88 also mounted on the supporting member 84.

The shafts 85, 86 and 87 serve to drive a plurality of narrow conveyor belts 90 which extend therearound and the upper reaches of which are supported by the table 91 in a common manner.

A microswitch 92 is supported between the two central conveyor belts 90 at the forward or left hand end thereof as seen in FIGURE 3, this switch being closed by articles to be inserted in a bag as those articles reach the forward end of the conveyor 90.

A second microswitch 93 is mounted in a guide member 94 which is suitably fixed to the side wall 51 in a position so that the microswitch operator 95 may be contacted by one of the two side members 96 of the chain links. These two side members are specially made witha bentover portion thereon for the purpose of engaging a switch operating member 95 (see FIGURE 2). It will be noted that microswitch 93 is adjustably positionable along the guide member 94 so that the time when the projecting side members 96 come into engagement with the switch operator may be predetermined.

Before describing the operation of the mechanism, the control circuit will be described reference being made to FIGURE 10. This control circuit includes the microswitches 92 and 93 just above described. As shown in FIGURE 10, switch 92 normally closes a circuit through contact 97 and when operated closes contact 98. Microswitch 93 normally is closed against contact 100 and when operated opens the circuit at this point.

A manually operated on-off switch is provided. in. QB?) side of the power circuit, this switch being designated 101. Connected across the powerv circuit by means of conductors 99, 102 and 103 is the conveyor motor 88. Thus when the manual switch is closed motor 88 is continuously energized and the conveyor belts operate to convey an article placed on these belts to the forward end of the conveyor and extending onto the table formed by the bentover portion 31 of the rear wall 23 of the bag distending apparatus. Also at the time switch 101 is closed a circuit is completed through microswitch 92 and its contact 97 and through lamp 104 to the opposite side of the power source thus lighting lamp 104 and indicating that the mechanism is in condition to receive articles to be inserted in a bag.

When the leading edges of articles placed upon the conveyor belts 90 reach microswitch 92 they operate that microswitch thereby closing a circuit which leads from the power source, through microswitch 92 and its contact 98 and thence over conductor 105, through the winding of a relay 106 and thence over conductor 107 to the opposite side of the line. Relay 106 therefore energizes closing its contacts 106:: and 106b. Closure of relay contacts 101% completes a circuit from one side of a power source over conductors 108 and 110, through motor 61, thence over conductor 111 to the opposite side of the power source.

Also after relay 106 operates it locks in the operated position due to the completion of a circuit from one side of the power source over the conductor 115, through normally closed microswitch 93 (now closed due to movement of the chain 67 and disengagement of operating arm 95 from special chain link 96), contact 100, conductor 116, contacts 106a of the relay, thence over conductor 117, through conductor 105 and through the winding of relay 106 and conductor 107 to the opposite side of the power source and by virtue of this locking of the relay the mot-or 61 remains energized until microswitch 93 is opened.

As has been indicated above, when the chain reaches the position shown in FIGURE 2 the upper special chain link 96 engages the microswitch operator 95 opening the locking circuit for relay 106 and causing motor 61 to deenergize and causing lamp 108 to light to indicate that the mechanism is positioned to receive another group of articles, it being understood that at this time another group of articles may be placed on the conveyor belt and that microswitch 92 is in the position shown in FIGURE 10. However, the groups of articles may be fed at such a rate that the lamp 104 does not light since the second group of articles may reach microswitch 92 before the chain has moved to a position to operate microswitch 93.

The energization of motor 61, as described above, causes chain 67 to move in a generally clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in FIGURE 1. As the movement occurs the right hand pusher arm mechanism including the arms 74 and 75 and links 76 and 77 moves about the sprocket wheel 66 while retaining the relative positions of the arms and links shown in FIGURE 1. However, when the arm 74 approaches the position on the sprocket wheel diametrically opposite to that shown in FIGURE 1, the links will have been positioned in the relative positions shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1 and described hereinabove, the movement of the links to the dotted position starting when arm 75 is at the lowermost extremity of the vertical diameter of sprocket wheel 66.

Thus the arm 73 will enter the mouth of the chutes 32 and 33 pushing goods discharged from the conveyor 90 and lying on the table 31, forwardly. As the chain continues it is apparent the chutes will be forced to rotate and the forward ends thereof will enter a bag distended by the discharge of air in the manner previously described. The goods will themselves cause the opening of the chutes and as the chain continues its forward movement the goods will leave the chutes and will be caused to enter the distended bag.

As the movement of the chain continues the pusher arm 6 73 will also enter the distended bag, the U-bend in the link 76 permitting this. As the chain continues its forward movement the weakened portion of the bottom of the bag, that is, the portion between the holes 42 and the notches 43 will tear and the bag will be freed from the U-shaped member or wicket 44. As the movement continues the bag with the articles therein will extend over an inclined discharge table 112 and the pusher will reach the point where the outer ends of arms 74 and 75 separate and the links are thus caused to rotate into the position shown at the left in FIGURE 1. This retracting movement of the pusher 73 causes it to move out of the bag and permit the bag with its contents to slide down the table or discharge chute 112 to position it for a following operation such as sealing, tying, etc.

In FIGURES 1 through 3 a distended bag 113 is shown in dotted lines as are its contents, exemplified by a group of frankfurter rolls 114, which are shown in position when the pusher 73 has entered the bag mouth just prior to the time when the pressure exerted by the rolls on the left end of the bag 113 will cause removal of that bag from the stack 30.

When the pusher arm 73 reaches a position determined by the location of the special link 96 and the adjusted position of the microswitch 93, the relay 106 is deenergized as described and the motor 61 stops with the pusher arm in the position shown at the left in FIGURE 1. It will be understood that the adjusted position of the microswitch 93 depends upon the inertia in the motor and chain and that the microswitch is adjusted to cause the chain to stop in a desired position when such inertia is taken into account.

It will also be understood that the relative speeds of motors 61 and 88 are such, and the time lag in the relay circuit such, that the pusher arm 73 reaches its vertical position when the articles have been conveyed forwardly suficiently far so that the pusher arm may lie behind them.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7, there is shown therein a slightly modified form of pusher arm 73. In this form the pusher arm is provided with downwardly extending side portions 118 having notches 119 therein. The side portions 118 extends below and outside of the conveyor belt 90. Additionally, the table member is lowered slightly and is provided with rails or a raised platform 120 thereon. Side members 118 extend below and outside the platform 120 and this platform slopes downwardly at the forward end thereof as seen in FIGURE 6. Thus the rear edge of a card such as that indicated at 121, FIGURES 6 and 7, and having an article such as 122 mounted thereon is engaged by the notches 119 and fed forwardly through the chutes. As the card moves forwardly, the forward edge thereof moves down the incline at the forward edge of the platform 120 and onto the horizontally extending portion of table 31. The rear edge, however, remains in the notches until the card with the article thereon is fully entered into the bag.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9 there is shown therein a second modified form of pusher arm which is particularly adapted to use with articles which are nonrigid and which would therefore be difiicult if not impossible to push through the chutes. An example of such an article would be a T-shirt or such other knitted or Woven article. The embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 9 thus replaces the arm 73 with a scoop member having a portion 123 provided with teeth 124 bent off at right angles to the portion 123.

In order to use the scoop 123 it will be seen that certain modifications have been made to the other mechanisms. Thus the chain 67 is made longer, the sprocket wheel 66 being moved rearwardly to overlie the forward end of the conveyor 90 and give space for the forward ends 125 .of the teeth 124 to move through an arcuate path which brings them beneath the article and then into a horizontal position slightly above the conveyor. This movement serves, to pick up the non-rigid article from the conveyor and carry it through the chutes and into the bag mouth. In this embodiment of the invention the ends 125 of the outermost scoop teeth will operate the chutes 32 and 33 and will also, together with the other teeth, engage the end of a bag and cause the bag to be torn from the U- shaped member or wicket 44.

Additionally a slight modification is made in the control circuit of FIGURE in order to stop the article 126 in the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 8. This modification consists of relocating the switch 92 to a position spaced from the forward end of conveyor 90 and adding a second microswitch 130 located horizontally in alignment with microswitch 92 and operated simultaneously with that switch. The two switches 92 and 130 are operated by the articles as the articles reach a predetermined point in their forward movement. If desired the switch 130 may be omitted and motor 88 connected in parallel with lamp 104.

Switch 130 is also shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 10. When this switch is utilized conductor 102 is removed, the switch 130 being inserted in the circuit of motor 88 as shown.

Upon closure of the manual switch 101 a circuit is completed from one side of the power source over conductors 99 and 131 through the closed switch 130, conductor 132, motor 88 and conductor 107 to the other side of the power source. Conveyor 90 then operates until the article thereon causes microswitches 95 and 130 to operate. As described hereinabove, operation of switch 92 causes motor 61 to be energized and causes the chain 67 to be driven through a cycle of operation.

Simultaneously with the operation of switch 92 switch 130 opens breaking the circuit to motor 88 which then stops the conveyor with the article in the position indicated at 126, that is, in position to be picked up and carried forward by the scoop 123. As soon as the scoop 123 has removed the article from the switch operator, that switch again closes and the conveyor restarts making it possible to convey a successive article to position to be picked up by the following scoop 123 during the following cycle of operation.

It will be seen that in the FIGURE 8 embodiment as in other embodiments of the invention, the retracting movement of the pusher arm will cause it to swing upwardly and at an angle to its normal progress as the article fully enters the bag and the bag is torn from the wicket 44. Thus the bag is freed from the scoop teeth and may slide down the inclined table 112 to position for a sequential operation.

It is contemplated that in all embodiments of my invention suitable conveyor loader mechanism may be utilized to cause articles to arrive at the point of pickup at spaced intervals correlated with the rate of operation of chain 67. Such loading mechanism may load a conveyor such as 90 or may load a second conveyor which discharges upon the conveyor 90. Moreover my inserting mechanism may be utilized when articles are placed manually in the'pickup position.

Also, although preferred forms of the invention have been described, many modifications are possible. For example, one of the pusher arms may be omitted together with its toggle mechanism without changing the operation save for a reduction in feeding rate. Also many other forms of pusher arm are possible to accommodate articles of special form, and, as indicated above, in some instances stationary platforms may be substituted for the feeding conveyor.

It is to be understood thatin the description the word article has been used to describe both a single article and a group of articles and that the word has these meanings in the claims, and that the word conveyor also includes the stationary platforms mentioned hereinabove.

I wish therefore to be limited not by the foregoing description but on the contrary solely by the claims granted to me.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of spring pressed chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into the bag, in combination, a chain mounted adjacent the distending mechanism and extending parallel to the path of movement of an article through the chutes and into a bag, a pusher member for causing. articles placed adjacent the entering ends of the chutes, to pass through the chutes and into a distended bag, and means mounting said pusher member on said chain, said mounting means causing said pusher member to move along said path of movement and to extend perpendicular to the plane of that path from the point of engagement with an article to a point adjacent the point of discharge of a filled bag from the distending mechanism, said mounting means causing said pusher member to assume a position inclined to said plane adjacent the point of discharge to thereby retract said pusher member from the bag mouth and permit discharge of the filled bag.

2. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream fiowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into the bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, and a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the chutes and into a bag when said chain is positioned so that said arms are between sprocket wheels and whereby as a chain section including said arms passes over the sprocket wheel adjacent the point of discharge of articles into a bag the pusher member is inclined rearwardly to permit discharge of a filled bag.

3. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into the bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain monuted on said sprocket Wheel, a pair of guide rails one mounted on either side of the reach of said endless chain adjacent to the bag distending mechanism, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each. of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, and a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the chutes and into a bag when said chain is positioned so that said arms are between sprocket wheels and whereby as a chain section including said arms passes over the sprocket wheel adjacent the point of discharge of articles into a bag the pusher member is inclined rearwardly to permit discharge of a filled bag.

4. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and -a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into a bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheel, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, and a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, and a U-shaped bend in said link extension, said U-shaped bend having the open side thereof facing in the direction of the movement of articles through the distending mechanism whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the chutes and into a bag when said chain is positioned so that said arms are between sprocket wheels and whereby as a chain section including said arms passes over the sprocket wheel adjacent the point of discharge of articles into a bag the pusher member is inclined rearwardly to permit discharge of a filled bag, said U bend in said toggle link extension permitting said pusher member to enter the mouth of the bag to insert articles fully into said bag.

5. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into a bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheel, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a first toggle link pivotally mounted on the chain arm which leads as the chain is driven to move in the direction of articles through the bag distending mechanism, a second toggle link mounted on the trailing one of said chain arms, means pivotally interconnecting said chain arms, said first toggle link being of a length substantially equal to the diagonal of the rectangle formed by said chain arms, an extension on said second toggle link, said extension lying on the opposite side of said pivotal mounting from the pivotal connection with said first link, and a pusher member mounted on said toggle link extension and extending transversely of the path of movement of articles through the bag distending mechanism, said pusher member being adapted to enter between the chutes and to push articles therethrough and into distended bags, said toggle mechanism serving to maintain said pusher member in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the distending mechanism during the interval between said chain arms leaving said rearward sprocket wheel and said leading chain arm arriving at said forward sprocket wheel, the outer ends of said chain arms separating as the chain passes about said forward sprocket wheel whereby said toggle links rotate about their pivot points causing said pusher member to incline rearwardly from said perpendicular plane to permit retraction of said pusher member from a filled bag.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein a second pusher arm and associated chain arms and toggle links are mounted on said chain, said second pusher arm being spaced from said first pusher arm a distance equal to one-half the length of said chain.

7. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into a bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket Wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket Wheels, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, and a U-shaped bend in said link extension, said U-shaped bend having the open side thereof facing in the direction of'the movement of articles through the distending mechanism whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the chutes and into a bag when said chain is positioned so that said arms are between sprocket Wheels and whereby as a chain section including said arms passes over the sprocket wheel adjacent the point of discharge of articles into a bag the pusher member is inclined rearwardly to permit discharge of a filled bag, said U bend in said toggle link extension permitting said pusher member to enter the mouth of the bag to insert articles fully into said bag, drive means for said chain and a control circuit comprising a switch located rearwardly of the point of entry of the articles into the chutes and adapted to be operated by such articles, the closure of said switch serving to close said circuit and energize said drive means, a second switch located adjacent said endless chain and a switch operator fixed to said chain at a point spaced from said chain arm a predetermined distance, said second switch being connected to cause deenergization of said drive means sub stantially simultaneously with full retraction of said pusher member.

8. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into a bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheel, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a first toggle link pivotally mounted on the chain arm which leads as the chain is driven to move in the direction of articles through the bag distending mechanism, a second toggle link mounted on the trailing one of said chain arms, means pivotally interconnecting said chain arms, said first toggle link being of a length substantially equal to the diagonal of the rectangle formed by said chain arms, an extension on said second toggle link, said extension lying on the opposite side of said pivotal mounting from the pivotal connection with said first link, drive means for said chain and a control circuit comprising a switch located rearwardly of the point of entry of an article into the chutes and adapted to be operated by such articles, the closure of said switch serving to close said circuit and energize said drive means, a second switch located adjacent said endless chain and a switch operator fixed to said chain at a point spaced from said chain arm a predetermined distance, said second switch being connected to cause deenergization of said drive means substantially simultaneously with full retraction of said pusher member.

A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein a second pusher arm and associated chain arms and toggle links are mounted on said chain, said second pusher arm being spaced from said first pusher arm a distance equal to one-half the length of said chain, and wherein said control circuit causes starting of said chain and stopping thereof after drive through half its length.

10. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into the bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of a toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the chutes and into a bag when said chain is positioned to that said arms are between sprocket wheels and whereby as a chain section including said arms passes over the sprocket wheel adjacent the point of discharge of articles into a bag the pusher member is inclined rearwardly to permit discharge of a filled bag, and a continuously operating conveyor mounted adjacent the entry end of the bag distending mechanism, said continuously rotating conveyor serving to bring articles into position to be moved through the chute and into bags by said pusher arm.

11. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved inte a bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheel, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a first toggle link pivotally mounted on the chain arm which leads as the chain is driven to move in the direction of articles through the bag distending mechanism, a second toggle link mounted on the trailing one of said chain arms, means pivotally interconnecting said chain arms, said first toggle link being of a length substantially equal to the diagonal of the rectangle formed by said chain arms, an extension on said second toggle link, said extension lying on the opposite side of said pivotal mounting from the pivotal connection with said first link, a pusher member mounted on said toggle link extension and extending transversely of the path of movement of articles through the bag distending mechanism, said pusher member being adapted to enter between the chutes and to push articles therethrough and into distended bags, said toggle mechanism serving to maintain said pusher member in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the distending mechanism during the interval between said chain arms leaving said rearward sprocket wheel and said leading chain arm arriving at said forward sprocket wheel, the outer ends of said chain arms separating as the chain passes about said forward sprocket wheel, whereby said toggle links rotate about their pivot points causing said pusher member to incline rearwardly from said perpendicular plane to permit retraction of said pusher member from a filled bag, and a continuously operating conveyor mounted adajacent the entry end of the bag distending mechanism, said continuously rotating conveyor serving to bring articles into position to be moved through the chute and into bags by said pusher arm.

12. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into the bag, in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the chutes and into a bag when said chain is positioned so that said arms are between sprocket wheels and whereby as a chain section including said arms passes over the sprocket wheel adjacent the point of discharge of articles into a bag the pusher member is inclined rearwardly to permit discharge of a filled bag, a continuously operating conveyor mounted adjacent the entry end of the bag distending mechanism, said conveyor serving to bring articles into position to be moved through the chute and into bags by said pusher arm, and a control circuit comprising a switch located adjacent the forward end of said conveyor and adapted to be operated by articles on said conveyor, drive means for said chain energized when said switch is closed, a second switch located adjacent 13 said endless chain and a switch operator fixed to said chain at a point spaced from said chain arms by a predetermined distance, said second switch being connected to cause deenergization of said drive means substantially simultaneously with full retraction of said pusher member from a bag.

13. In a device for inserting articles into a bag held in distended position by a bag distending mechanism of the type having an air stream flowing over the open edge of a bag and a pair of chutes the terminal ends of which enter a bag mouth and through which articles are moved into a bag in combination, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted adjacent said bag distending mechanism, one of said sprocket wheels being spaced slightly forwardly of the transverse plane defining the open end of a distended bag, the other of said sprocket wheels being spaced rearwardly of an article placed to enter the chutes, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms, one fixed to each of two of the links of the chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a first toggle link pivotally mounted on the chain arm which leads as the chain is driven to move the reach thereof adjacent the bag distending mechanism in the direction of articles through the bag distending mechanism, a second toggle link mounted on the trailing one of said chain arms, means pivotally interconnecting said chain arms, said first toggle link being of a length substantially equal to the diagonal of the rectangle formed by said chain arms, an extension on said second toggle link, said extension lying on the opposite side of said pivotal mounting from the pivotal connection with said first link, a pusher member mounted on said toggle link extension and extending transversely of the path of movement of articles through the bag distending mechanism, said pusher member .being adapted to enter between the chutes and to push articles therethrough and into distended bags, said toggle mechanism serving to maintain said pusher member in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the path of movement of articles through the distending mechanism during the interval between said chain arms leaving said rearward sprocket wheels and said leading chain arm arriving at said forward sprocket wheel, the outer ends of said chain arms separating as the chain passes about said forward sprocket wheel, whereby said toggle links rotate about their pivot points causing said pusher member to incline rearwardly from said perpendicular plane to permit retraction of said pusher member from a filled bag, a continuously operating conveyor mounted adjacent the entry end of the bag distending mechanism said continuously rotating conveyor serving to bring ar ticles into position to be moved through the chute and into bags by said pusher arm, and a control circuit comprising a switch located adjacent the forward end of said conveyor and adapted to be operated by articles on said conveyor, drive means for said chain energized when said switch is closed, a second switch located adjacent said endless chain and a switch operator fixed to said chain at a point spaced from said chain arms by a predetermined distance, said second switch being connected to cause deenergization of said drive means substantially simultaneously with full retraction of said pusher member from a bag.

14. In a device for distending the top bag of a stack and inserting an article therein, in combination, a housing, means for removably placing a stack of bags in said housing, means for blowing a stream of air over the open end of the top bag of the stack, a pair of chutes pivotally mounted in said housing, said chutes being positioned so that their terminal ends enter a distended bag when pivoted outwardly, a horizontal table extending longitudinally of said housing between said chutes and slightly spaced above the lower edges thereof, a pair of transverse shafts one mounted slightly forwardly of the vertical plane defined by the rearwardly facing open sides of said bags, the other mounted to the rear of said table, a sprocket wheel on each said shaft, a conveyor mechanism located rearwardly of the rearward edge of said table and in substantial horizontal alignment with said table, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels with one reach thereof spaced above said table and extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of arms one fixed to .each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, and a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said table and when said chain is driven pushes articles placed on said conveyor through said chutes and into said bag, said pusher member being caused to lie at an angle inclined to said table as the leading one of said chain arms engages said forwardly mounted sprocket wheel.

15. In a device for distending the top bag of a stack and inserting an article therein, in combination, a housing, means for removably placing a stack of bags in said housing, means for blowing a stream of air over the open end of the top bag of the stack, a pair of chutes pivotally mounted in said housing, said chutes being positioned so that their terminal ends enter a distended bag when pivoted outwardly, a horizontal table extending longituclinally of said housing between said chutes and slightly spaced above the lower edges thereof, a pair of transverse shafts mounted above said table, one located slightly forwardly of the vertical plane defined by the rearwardly facing open sides of said bags, the other mounted to the rear of said table, a sprocket wheel on each said shaft, a conveyor mechanism located rearwardly of the rearward edge of said table and in substantial horizontal alignment with said table, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels with the lower reach thereof extending above said table and substantially parallel to the longitudinal center line thereof, a pair of arms one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mount ing of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, a U-shaped bend in said extension having the open side thereof facing in the direction of movement of said pusher through said chutes whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said table and when said chain is driven pushes articles placed on said conveyor through said chutes and into said bag, said pusher member being caused to lie at an angle inclined to said table as the leading one of said chain arms engages said forwardly mounted sprocket wheel, thereby retracting said pusher arm from its position Within a bag and permitting discharge of the filled bag.

16. In a device for distending the top bag of a stack and inserting an article therein, in combination, a housing, means for removably placing a stack of bags in said housing, means for blowing a stream of air over the open end of the top bag of the stack, a pair of chutes pivotally mounted in said housing, said chutes being positioned so that their terminal ends enter a distended bag when pivoted outwardly, a horizontal table extending longitudinally of said housing between said chutes and slightly spaced above the lower edges thereof, a pair of transverse shafts mounted above said table, one located slightly forwardly of the vertical plane defined by the rearwardly facing open sides of said bags, the other mounted to the rear of said table, a Sprocket wheel on each said shaft, a conveyor mechanism located rearwardly of the rearward edge of said table and in substantial horizontal alignment with said table, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, a U-shaped bend in said extension having the open side thereof facing in the direction of movement of said pusher through said chutes whereby said pusher member extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said table and when said chain is driven pushes articles placed on said conveyor through said chutes and into said bag, said pusher member being caused to lie at an angle inclined to said table as the leading one of said chain arms engages said forwardly mounted sprocket wheel, thereby retracting said pusher arm from its position within a bag and permitting discharge of the filled bag, drive means for said chain, a switch operator fixed to said chain at a point spaced from said chain arms by a predetermined distance, a control circuit comprising a switch located adjacent the forward edge of said conveyor and in the path of articles on said 7 conveyor, said switch serving when closed to energize said drive means, and a second switch located adjacent said endless chain in position to be operated by said switch operator, said second switch being connected in said circuit to cause deenergization of said drive means after said pusher arm has been retracted from a bag.

17. In a device for distending the top bag of a stack and inserting an article therein, in combination, a housing, means for removably placing a stack of bags in said housing, means for blowing a stream of air over the open end of the top bag of the stack, a pair of chutes pivotally mounted with their lower edges in substantial horizontal alignment with the lower side of the top bag of a stack, said chutes being positioned so that their terminal ends enter a distended bag when pivoted outwardly, a horizontal table extending longitudinally of said housing between said chutes and slightly spaced above the lower edges thereof, a platform of lesser width than said table mounted on said table, said platform tapering at its forward edge to meet said table at a point spaced from the open side of said bags, a pair of transverse shafts mounted above said table, one located slightly forwardly of the vertical plane defined by the rearwardly facing open sides of said bags, the other being mounted to the rear of said table, a sprocket wheel on each said shaft, a conveyor mechanism having a Width substantially equal to that of said platform, said conveyor mechanism lying in the horizontal plane of the rear edge of said platform, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, and a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, said pusher member being of U-shape, the sides of said U extending beyond the base thereof and being adapted to extend below said conveyor and said platform when said chain arms are between sprocket wheels, each said side member of said U having a V-shaped forwardly facing notch therein, the closed ends of said notches extending above the plane of the conveyor whereby a card in position on said conveyor will be engaged byv said notches as the pusher member moves along said conveyor and said raised platform with its base perpendicular thereto, said pusher member being retracted from said bag as said chain arms reach said forward sprocket wheel.

18. In a device for distending the top bag of a stack and inserting an article therein, in combination, a housing, means for removably placing a stack of bags in said housing, means for blowing a stream of air over the open end of the top bag of the stack, a pair of chutes pivotally mounted in said housing for movement in a horizontal plane, said chutes being positioned so that their terminal ends enter a distended bag when pivoted outwardly, a horizontal table extending longitudinally of said housing between said chutes and slightly spaced above the lower edges thereof, a pair of transverse shafts mounted above said table, one located slightly forwardly of the vertical plane defined by the rearwardly facing open sides of said bags, the other mounted to the rear of said table, a sprocket wheel on each said shaft, a conveyor mechanism having a width substantially equal to that of said table, said conveyor mechanism lying substantially in the horizontal plane of the rear edge of said table, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms and a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, said pusher member comprising a scoop having a rear wall and teeth extending perpendicularly thereto whereby said teeth extend horizontally when said chain arms are on the portion of the chain extending horizontally between said sprocket wheels and said teeth extend downwardly and lie between said conveyor belts when said chain arms engage said rearward sprocket wheel whereby an article on said belts rearwardly of said table is picked up by said scoop as said chain arms move about said rearward sprocket wheel, said teeth lying above said conveyor belts as said chain moves to pass said scoop through said chutes and insert the article into a distended bag, said scoop being of a width to cause pivotal movement of said chutes and entry thereof into the mouth of an open bag, said scoop teeth being of a length to reach the bottom of the bag and cause removal thereof from a stack, said chain arms as they reach said forward sprocket wheel causing said scoop to move so that its rear wall takes a position inclined relative to said table whereby a bag with an article thereon is discharged from said scoop.

19. In a device for distending the top bag of a stack and inserting an article therein, in combination, a housing, means for removably placing a stack of bags in said housing, means for blowing a stream of air over the open end of the top bag of the stack, a pair of chutes pivotally mounted in said housing for movement in a horizontal plane, said chutes being positioned so that their terminal ends enter a distended bag when pivoted outwardly, a horizontal table extending longitudinally of said housing between said chutes and slightly spaced above the lower edges thereof, a pair of transverse shafts mounted above said table, one located slightly forwardly of the vertical plane defined by the rearwardly facing open sides of said bags, the other mounted to the rear of said table, a sprocket wheel on each said shaft, a conveyor mechanism having a Width substantially equal to that of said table, said conveyor mechanism lying substantially in the horizontal plane of the rear edge of said table, an endless chain mounted on said sprocket wheels, a pair of arms one fixed to each of two of the links of said chain and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom, said arms being spaced along said chain, a pair of toggle links, one pivoted at the end of each of said chain arms, said links 17 being pivotally connected together at their ends, said pivotal connection lying between said arms, a pusher member fixed to an extension of one of said links, said extension lying on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said link from the pivotal interconnection of said links, said pusher member comprising a scoop having a rear wall and teeth extending perpendicularly thereto whereby said teeth extend horizontally when said chain arms are on the portion of the chain extending horizontally between said sprocket wheels and said teeth extend downwardly and lie between said conveyor belts when said chain arms engage said rearward sprocket wheel whereby an article on said belts rearwardly of said table is picked up by said scoop as said chain arms move about said rearward sprocket wheel, said teeth lying above said conveyor belts as said chain moves to pass said scoop through said chutes and insert the article into a distended bag, said scoop being of a width to cause pivotal movement of said chutes and entry thereof into the mouth of an open bag, said scoop teeth being of a length to reach the bottom of the bag and cause removal thereof from a stack, said chain arms as they reach said forward sprocket wheel causing said scoop to move so that its rear wall takes a position inclined relative to said table whereby a bag with an article therein is discharged from said scoop, drive means for said chain, a switch operator located on said chain and spaced a predetermined distance from said chain arms, a control circuit comprising a switch located adjacent the forward ends of said conveyor belts in position to be operated by an article thereon, closure of said switch energizing said drive means, a second switch located in the path of said switch operator, said second switch being connected to cause the deenergization of said drive means substantially simultaneously with full retraction of said pusher member from a bag, and a second control circuit comprising a third switch located in alignment with said first switch adjacent the forward end of said conveyor, said third switch serving to open the circuit to the conveyor drive means and stop the conveyor when an article is placed thereon in position to be picked up by said pusher scoop.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,743,780 1/1930 Hurlburt 52-259 2,336,213 12/1943 Bayer et al. 53259 X 2,851,838 9/1958 McIntyre et al 53385 X FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,217,464 November 16, 1965 Norman Feingold It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 11, line 57, for "to" read so line 71, the indistinct word should be a line 72, the indistinct words should be into a column 13, line 42, for "wheels" read wheel column I6, line 52, for "thereon" read therein Signed and sealed this 20th day of September 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR INSERTING ARTICLES INTO A BAG HELD IN DISTENDED POSITION BY A BAG DISTENDING MECHANISM OF THE TYPE HAVING AN AIR STREAM FLOWING OVER THE OPEN EDGE OF A BAG AND A PAIR OF SPRING PRESSED CHUTES THE TERMINAL ENDS OF WHICH ENTER A BAG MOUTH AND THROUGH WHICH ARTICLES ARE MOVED INTO THE BAG, IN COMBINATION, A CHAIN MOUNTED ADJACENT THE DISTENDING MECHANISM AND EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF AN ARTICLE THROUGH THE CHUTES AND INTO A BAG, A PUSHER MEMBER FOR CAUSING ARTICLES PLACED ADJACENT THE ENTERING ENDS OF THE CHUTES, TO PASS THROUGH THE CHUTES AND INTO A DISTENDED BAG, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID PUSHER MEMBER ON SAID CHAIN, SAID MOUNTING MEANS CAUSING SAID PUSHER MEMBER TO MOVE ALONG SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT AND TO EXTEND PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF THAT PATH FROM THE POINT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH AN ARTICLE TO A POINT ADJACENT THE POINT OF DISCHARGE OF A FILLED BAG FROM THE DISTENDING MECHANISM, SAID MOUNTING MEANS CAUSING SAID PUSHER MEMBER TO ASSUME A POSITION INCLINED TO SAID PLANE 